Longtime Staff Make The Manor at York Town Feel like Home

July 24, 2025

The Manor at York Town provides all the convenience and charm one would expect from a premier independent living community.  A really great place to call home is defined by more than its amenities—it’s defined by the people who work there. One of the keys to The Manor’s warm, welcoming environment is the longevity of its staff.

Employee retention at The Manor is not only unique among senior living communities, it’s impressive!  The Manor is extremely fortunate to have a very stable and long tenured management team that works hard to create a feeling of family within the community.  Everyone goes out of their way to know the residents as individuals, allowing them to provide very customized services. Twenty percent of the staff have been with The Manor for more than a decade, and 67% of core staff have been there longer than five years. These numbers speak to both job satisfaction and the solid foundation of caring and trust between staff and residents.

Leadership that fosters commitment

Executive Director Wendy Petro has been with The Manor for 25 years. “We were building the community when I started,” she laughs. “So it was literally mud out front when I got here.”

From her first job as a part-time project coordinator to her current management role, Wendy’s leadership philosophy has always been rooted in mutual respect, understanding, and flexibility. “People aren’t just employees. They’re people,” she says. “We all have lives outside of work, and you must be understanding. From day one, I’ve always hired people and told them I don’t ever want to hear, ‘It’s not my job.’ It’s all our jobs. So there really is a give and take.”

Wendy attributes staff retention to a shared sense of community. “I can honestly say the team we have now, the residents we have now, it truly is a big family”.

A kitchen that serves more than meals

  “The kitchen staff and all of us have been together a long time, and that speaks volumes,” Wendy says.Kitchen team members Terry and Amelia, with 14 and 15 years of service respectively, enjoy the flexibility and camaraderie they feel in both the kitchen and dining room.

“Everybody’s friendly and helps each other and you don’t think twice about saying, ‘Oh, I’ll do that for you,’” says Amelia. Terry agrees, saying, “There’s a lot of variety to what we do, and they are very flexible and family-friendly here.”

Head Chef Mark Kissinger, who has been with The Manor for 10 years, appreciates getting to know the residents through their food choices. “I can tell you who they are by what they order,” he says with a smile. “It’s a smaller community, and we know all the residents by their food preferences. We love to spoil them.”

Concierge services that provide a personal touch

The concierge team is often the first point of contact for residents, and their combined 58-year tenure ensures they can provide consistent, personalized service. When asked why she has been with The Manor for 11 years, full-time concierge Luanne says, “I love the people, I love my job. The residents are great and the bonds you create with them are great, too. And it’s the same for fellow employees. Everyone’s willing to help each other out.”

Luanne adds, “I treat residents the way I would want a family member to be treated. And that’s what I feel we are here, one big family, residents and staff. There hasn’t been one day where I haven’t wanted to come in to work.”

Creating a special place to call home

The longevity of the staff has a direct, positive impact on the residents’ well-being. Nobody understands this better than Director of Sales and Marketing, Courtney Gawthrop.

“People underestimate the importance of those relationships when they first move in, but when they need support, it’s the thing they’re most thankful for,” Courtney says. “If you’re moving to independent living because you want that safety, security, and trust, then you want to know that the people here are committed to being here. And residents feel it when they come in. They can count on us.”

At the Manor at York Town, the staff are more than a team. They’re a family. Their dedication to the residents—and each other—makes this senior living community a truly remarkable place to call home.